Although some events in the 2012 Olympic Games have already taken place, the official opening tomorrow means that the eyes of the world will be upon us. When we hosted the Commonwealth Games in Manchester a few years back the cleaning staff were represented in the closing ceremony and I commented in my Cleanzine leader about how happy this made me as I felt it was about time someone officially recognised the great job our cleaners do. After all, without the cleaning staff, the Games wouldn't have taken place and the same applies this time around too.

There has been some negative press surrounding the cleaners brought in from overseas for this particular event but I'm sure that as usual they'll look after us really well. I do hope though that members of the general public will treat them - and the areas they're tasked with cleaning - with the respect they deserve.

If you're one of the lucky ones to have obtained a ticket to the Games and you can't find a bin either at the venue or on your journey to or from it, then please take your rubbish home with you. And if you see any cleaners at work, why not make the effort to say hello and tell them you appreciate the efforts they're making to keep our environment clean, tidy and hygienic? It won't cost you anything, but I know it will make their day a whole lot easier to bear!